The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30
The Redeeming Feature That Accompanied
the Frightful Fiasco Made by Gen. Stone
man Inside the Confederate Lines
The Only Occasion on Which Bob niger
soil Recognized the Confe1eracy,
With Mention of His Earnest Efforts to Sup
press the Rebellion by Talk-The Ameri-
can Mob at the Chinese Minister'S Ball.
JIM BRowNLow,s GALLANT DEED.

a Feat of Arms That Excited the Admiration
OF Longstreet and His Men.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, JAM 29-'I remember splen-
did feat Of arms" said an old Senator to-day.
Eat the time General Stoneman made his awful
fasco while on a raid inside of the confederate
lines, and surrendered his entire outfit, includ-
ing himself. to force inferior in numbers
made up, principally, of the holyhock, sassafras,
ginseng and hoop-pole forces, under the COM
mand of the Falstaff of the Rebellion-Howell
Cobb-there was performed a feat of arms by
young soldier Of East Tennessee which was un-
paraiieled in the history of the war on either
slde and one that called forth the applause of
even Longstreet and the veterans he command
ed. Finding himself, as he supposed, entirely
surrounded by superior force, Stoneman de-
termined to surrender, though, for FORMS sake,
he concluded to hold council with his regi-
mental and brigade commanders Among those
commanding regiment in Stoneman's force was
young Jim Brownlow, son of Governor Brownlow,
the fighting parson. When young Brownlow ap-'
peared before his commander, being the young
est regimental commander present. General
Stoneman informed him that he intended to sur
render, and asked him what he thought of it.
Young Brownlow objected, and said that there
was no necessity for it. He was overruled, how
ever, and then he demanded the privilege Of cut
ting his way out with his regiment, il he could
for he and his men knew that if they were cap
tured they could expect no mercy, for they would
be treated LAS traitors to the South. However.
he was told to cut his way out if ne could
SWoopirp hal o;r xu;fh ali Ola he
thought he could detect weak place in it at one
point. Riding up to the head of his regiment,
he announced to his men that they must either
cut their way out or starve to death in a rebel
prison. and asked them to decide at once what
they would do. With shout they demanded to
be led against the foe. Ordering
his men to draw sabers and follow
him, like thunderboit the one thousand mount
aineers hurled themselves straight at the weak
| spot; but they were repulsed. Again they tried
| it, and again they were hurled back. Forming
his men again for the third time, thefearless
young leader told them that there. must be nc
more recoiing that they must get out or die
Once more the charge was sounded. and straigh'
as an arrow young Brownlow hurled himself and
his men at the rebel line and broke it as
whirlwind. Longstreet came up just as the frs
charge was repulsed. and saw the whole affair
| from beginning to finish. He asked who the
Union leader was and was told. Then he in
| quired if Colonel Brownlow had been educated
at West Point. He was answered in the mega
tive, when he said: "'That young man is a nat
ural soldier, and that is the finest feat of arms
ever witnessed. Any regiment may break
through an encircling line on the first charge
and thus get away. but to be repulsed twice ant
still persevere and succeed in the third effort il
| feat almost unparalleled in history Of war.
The story of that days gallant action will be re
| membered and rehearsed in the mountains O.
! great Rebellion shall be preserved among men
| Colonel Brownlow was a chip off the old block
suren